A major behind-the-scenes shakeup means Dune: Part Three will feel much different from the previous two movies. Picking up after the ending of Dune: Part Two, the conclusion of Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy adapting Frank Herbert’s sci-fi books will bring back most of the major players from before.

The highly anticipated third Dune movie will continue the stories of Paul Atreides, Chani, Princess Irulan, and Paul’s sister, Alia, allowing Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy to be among the returning cast members. Villeneuve is back at the helm, with Jon Spaihts writing the script again, Hans Zimmer returning to compose the score, and Joe Walker editing.

Yet, Dune: Part Three has had to enlist a new cinematographer since Greig Fraser is not returning. It was recently revealed that he will instead serve as the cinematographer for all four of Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies, with Linus Sandgren stepping in to replace him on Dune 3.

Considering Fraser was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards for the first two Dune movies, and even won for the first film, this is a major shakeup. It will make the movie feel different, but that could work to the movie’s advantage.

Dune: Part 3 Changing Cinematographers Is A Good Thing For Messiah

Fraser’s cinematography was incredible in the first two films, so a level of disappointment regarding his exit is understandable. He successfully captured the scope of Arrakis and ensured that the films had a unique visual language compared to other popular science fiction franchises.

However, Fraser’s replacement, Linus Sandgren, is a great choice to shoot Dune 3. Sandgren is an incredible cinematographer and has sH๏τ movies such as La La Land, Babylon, and No Time to Die. Since Dune: Messiah is a very different book compared to the first, it actually makes sense for the third movie to have a different cinematographer.

There is a 12-year time jump between the events of the first novel and Dune: Messiah. This allows characters like Alia to grow old enough to be a major figure, gives Paul an established reign as Emperor, and paves the way for new characters to enter the story as other relationships develop.

Because of this, it makes sense that Arrakis will look and feel a little different in Dune: Part Three. Sandgren can create a new visual palette and set the third movie apart from the first two films. It won’t feel strictly like a third part in an ongoing franchise if he can alter the way we see the world and its characters.

Fraser could have done this himself if he had returned, but it should be easier for Sandgren to put his different style on the dunes of Arrakis. How much of Dune 3 is filming in IMAX could also be a smart way to expand the scope of this story and offer viewers a fresh perspective.

This franchise deserves to keep evolving, so even though Fraser’s work was applauded, it’s arguably better for Dune: Part Three to have a new cinematographer.